Fighting with My Family
Comedy biopic written and directed by Stephen Merchant (The Office), based on the 2012 documentary The Wrestlers: Fighting with my Family, which tells the story of WWE wrestler Paige (Florence Pugh, Lady Macbeth). Dwayne Johnson appears in the film and is also among the producers.
Born into a tight-knit wrestling family, Paige and her brother Zak (Jack Lowden, Dunkirk) are ecstatic when they get the opportunity to try out for the WWE. But when only Paige earns a spot, she must leave her family behind and face this new cut-throat world alone.
- Director:
- Stephen Merchant ('The Office', 'Extras', 'Cemetery Junction')
- Writer:
- Stephen Merchant
- Cast:
- Florence PughLena HeadeyNick FrostJack LowdenVince VaughnThea TrinidadDwayne JohnsonAqueela Zoll
Reviews & comments
Flicks, Craig Mathieson
flicks
Grapples with Holding Audience's Interest
First off - those of you expecting a Dwayne Johnson led wrestling action/comedy will be disappointed. This is not The Rock's film. He's reduced to a mere cameo, which is fine, because it leaves space in the ring for Florence Pugh's wrestler Paige - to shine. With crackles of humour littered throughout, Stephen Merchant directs a rather mainstream wrestling...
Variety
press"Fighting With My Family" may not be an Oscar contender but it has enough wit, heart, energy and good cheer to make it a fun watch even for non-wrestling fans.
Time Out
pressThe boastful, performative nature of WWE, spiked with mini dramas and constant role-playing, becomes the lingua franca of an atypical household in Fighting with My Family, the sweetest of comedies despite a sizable number of body slams.
The New York Times
pressIt's often broadly funny but never mean or patronising; it takes the Knights, their eccentricities and quixotic aspirations seriously, but not enough to squelch the fun.
The Guardian
pressDespite a great real-life background story, and despite comedy master Stephen Merchant being at the helm as writer-director, this movie never really comes off.
Stuff
pressFighting With My Family is a plucky, funny and unexpectedly moving wee film. I liked it a great deal.
Rolling Stone
pressWhat's surprising is how well all of this suplex-to-nuts biopic works...[but] see it for Florence Pugh's fireplug turn.
New Zealand Herald
pressFighting with My Family is simply an entertaining, lightweight affair of humorously choreographed muscle.
Los Angeles Times
pressWithin the context of a sport that thrives on artifice, writer-director Stephen Merchant spins a story whose emotions feel entirely genuine.
Hollywood Reporter
pressA couple of scenes with The Rock don't energise a run-of-the-mill sports story.
FilmInk
pressIf you want a good laugh, you'll find it here. If you want some Rocky-style physical exertion, you'll get your fill. Even if you're not all that interested in pro wrestling, the serious talent has a solid chance of winning you over anyway.
Flicks, Craig Mathieson
flicksVariety
press"Fighting With My Family" may not be an Oscar contender but it has enough wit, heart, energy and good cheer to make it a fun watch even for non-wrestling fans.
Time Out
pressThe boastful, performative nature of WWE, spiked with mini dramas and constant role-playing, becomes the lingua franca of an atypical household in Fighting with My Family, the sweetest of comedies despite a sizable number of body slams.
The New York Times
pressIt's often broadly funny but never mean or patronising; it takes the Knights, their eccentricities and quixotic aspirations seriously, but not enough to squelch the fun.
The Guardian
pressDespite a great real-life background story, and despite comedy master Stephen Merchant being at the helm as writer-director, this movie never really comes off.
Stuff
pressFighting With My Family is a plucky, funny and unexpectedly moving wee film. I liked it a great deal.
Rolling Stone
pressWhat's surprising is how well all of this suplex-to-nuts biopic works...[but] see it for Florence Pugh's fireplug turn.
New Zealand Herald
pressFighting with My Family is simply an entertaining, lightweight affair of humorously choreographed muscle.
Los Angeles Times
pressWithin the context of a sport that thrives on artifice, writer-director Stephen Merchant spins a story whose emotions feel entirely genuine.
Hollywood Reporter
pressA couple of scenes with The Rock don't energise a run-of-the-mill sports story.
FilmInk
pressIf you want a good laugh, you'll find it here. If you want some Rocky-style physical exertion, you'll get your fill. Even if you're not all that interested in pro wrestling, the serious talent has a solid chance of winning you over anyway.
Grapples with Holding Audience's Interest
First off - those of you expecting a Dwayne Johnson led wrestling action/comedy will be disappointed. This is not The Rock's film. He's reduced to a mere cameo, which is fine, because it leaves space in the ring for Florence Pugh's wrestler Paige - to shine. With crackles of humour littered throughout, Stephen Merchant directs a rather mainstream...
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